Any thoughts on Self-Diagnosing?

[Pinkamena Diane Pie]

Self-Diagnosing, in my views, can be a great thing- only if you are willing to put the initiative into actually finding a doctor to get you actual help. If its a physical disorder (like, in my case, IBD), it can aid you.

I mean, in a sense that it can prevent further harm onto you while you do get help in diagnosing by using legit doctors. It too my about a month and a half to actually get diagnosed with IBD, but I did research that proved helpful because, again, one wrong move and you can induce pain onto yourself.

However, I can't see the benefit of it in mental disorders. Anyone can fit the symptoms of a mental disorder. That's normal.

Then you have the people that get overshadowed because some jerk takes advantage of this idea and they diagnose themselves with things, degrading those that have it, legit. It bothers me that many people never see that aspect. I saw someone on a show (a judge show, sort of like Judge Judy) say they had Crohn's disease to gain sympathy and money, when someone with that disease can see through it completely. Its a topic that has its good points and bad points as well. Any thoughts?

 

[Zeorus]

I think it's bullshit that should be universally discouraged except in rare cases. We have medical professionals (who have spent a lot more time studying this than you) for a reason. Access to information does not qualify one to make a judgment without the proper training.

 

[Pinkamena Diane Pie]

I think it's bullshit that should be universally discouraged except in rare cases. We have medical professionals (who have spent a lot more time studying this than you) for a reason. Access to information does not qualify one to make a judgment without the proper training.

I agree full fledged with that. I understand, but there are cases where it can be useful if you are close to finding out the problem at hand. In my case, it helped me not create a whole separate problem, but I knew they were already looking into the idea before I figured it out. At the moment, they ran out of ideas that sounded plausible and ran as many tests needed, but to no avail. That, in fairness, is a rare case. (There were other ideas behind everything, but most of them were terrible, even to them at the time. )

Though, I agree mainly because my case almost never happens. They do this because they can, without attempting the treatment. It would be more understandable if they had a problem for weeks and were getting help, and in the process, your trying to lessen the pain dealt, but again, that rarely happens.

 

[SpessCaptain]

I hate it. It trivialises so many other people who have legit mental disorders and is prone for misdiagnosis. I also hate it when ountrained people diagnose others. grr.

I was misdiagnosed with ADD and Autism as a child as my mother kept telling my doctor what a problem child I was and seriously suggested that I'd live in an asylum... and I fully agreed I was insane.

As a teen I came to terms that I had a shit raising and a dumb mother who was one step away from being considered clinically isane.

 

[autisticdragonkin]

I was misdiagnosed with ADD and Autism as a child as my mother kept telling my doctor what a problem child I was and seriously suggested that I'd live in an asylum... and I fully agreed I was insane.

How do you know you were misdiagnosed?

 

[SpessCaptain]

How do you know you were misdiagnosed?

Therapy during my teens. A lot of it.

 

[Derbydollar]

Self-Diagnosing leads to Misdiagnosis.
If someone thinks that they may have something wrong with them, a doctors visit is in order.

 

[Red_Rager]

Self-Diagnoses can be a good thing when you are trying to figure out where your problem lies and if you even have a mental problem. This is provided the next step is getting an official diagnoses and you don't get too attached to your theory. There is a reason why it takes years of schooling to become a psychologist and why most of them have a doctor in their name.

 

[AnOminous]

Self-Diagnoses can be a good thing when you are trying to figure out where your problem lies and if you even have a mental problem. This is provided the next step is getting an official diagnoses and you don't get too attached to your theory. There is a reason why it takes years of schooling to become a psychologist and why most of them have a doctor in their name.

Psychologists generally have either a master's or an academic doctoral degree (Ph.D.). Psychiatrists are, by definition, medical doctors with an M.D. degree and then further specialization in psychiatry.

 

[Anarchaprincess]

I can understand someone self-diagnosing with a mental illness like anxiety or depression, and then searching ways to cope with it is alright, but they can't say they really have it because they can't be sure until they meet a doctor.

Then there's teens who diagnose themselves with mental disorder, read personality disorder, which much more harmful, and anyway, most people don't know there is something wrong with them until a doctor sees them.

With adults, it's less bad, but they still need to be caution so they fuck themselves heavily with self-medication or something like that.

 

[Ahffline]

I can see a role for self-diagnosis when it comes to rare conditions that might not be in the experience of the average GP, but on the whole, I think it's something that should be discouraged. Physicians have received education and training in medicine. That, coupled with experience, gives them an expertise the average person cannot hope to match, especially by researching bullshit on the Internet.

I wouldn't attempt to represent myself in court. I'm not a lawyer. I wouldn't attempt to fly an aircraft. I'm not a pilot. I wouldn't presume to know as much about medicine as someone trained in that area.

Don't get me wrong, though. I think it's vital for people to be engaged in their treatment, but we do that best by talking with our doctors and pharmacists, by giving them all the specific information we can about our symptoms so that they can make the correct diagnosis. Not by self-diagnosing.

 

[Some JERK]

Sometimes people are right when they self-diagnose, but far more often than not self diagnosis a perfect example of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

 

[Pinkamena Diane Pie]

I can understand someone self-diagnosing with a mental illness like anxiety or depression, and then searching ways to cope with it is alright, but they can't say they really have it because they can't be sure until they meet a doctor.

Then there's teens who diagnose themselves with mental disorder, read personality disorder, which much more harmful, and anyway, most people don't know there is something wrong with them until a doctor sees them.

With adults, it's less bad, but they still need to be caution so they fuck themselves heavily with self-medication or something like that.

Yeah, I understand it in that manner, but BPD or AvDP? No one can diagnose that onto themselves because its within their personality. (I mean, honestly, who would answer those questions HONESTLY and without bias? Doctors know the general meaning of these things easier and miscommunication would be harder to accomplish)

If its a physical problem, then I know people will realize there is something wrong with them. Sometimes, its helpful because some asshole of a head doctor will ignore your problems, if its physical. It took a few tries before the person that ran the procedures in question (I was underage at this time, I had a group of doctors. While I never saw her, she would make appointments for tests and everything) would listen to me because I didn't have any signs of problems via MRI. They said I was lying and might have IBS. The didn't realize a problem UNTIL they saw a clear indication despite the MRI showing nothing. I did a final procedure after more MRIs until they realized that I was absolutely correct. (Then again, its hard to be wrong when you have those symptoms, anyway.)

Sometimes, it might not be the patient not getting through. Sometimes, its the age. My doctor told me a horror story of some kid (at the time) diagnosed with Crohn's but didn't have proof because they refused to give him a colonoscopy. They forced him on pred until he was late teens when the mother forced him to my doctor. Turns out he did have that disease, and all it needed was 6-MP and he was set. Too bad the doctor screwed him up so much cause of the pred usage.

Another factor is monetary. Even if you get the diagnosis, affording the medication might be hell.

While I hate the concept, I think of it more than just the person guessing or maybe more than as it seems.

 

[Jewelsmakerguy]

Speaking as someone who was professionally diagnosed. I can say for sure that most cases of self-diagnosis are bullshit. Especially if the person either changes said diagnosis at the drop of a hat (think onigojirakaiju), diagnoses him/herself with something stupid (Andrew Dobson and his "PTSD") or for completely stupid reasons (see previous example).

It's usually best to take the whole "I HAVE AUTISM!" thing with a grain of salt most of the time over the internet. Or if you're like me, just assume nearly everyone over the internet has some mental disability (even if they don't in real life).

 

[~*dank meme*~]

I really don't think self-diagnosing's good.

I sometimes would take little tests for fun when I was only in a good mood (and online tests are often bullshit anyway) so my results wouldn't be too skewed because I was depressed. A lot of these tests I do come back with BPD being moderate-high, and it concerned me. Even though many of them are bullcrap, when results start coming back consistently I think there is justification in being a little worried. I looked up more symptoms and realized I shared some similar traits. I thought it was a good idea to bring this up to my therapist, who practically shot that idea down as soon as I mentioned sharing traits. I feel that the only thing this therapist got out of my attempt to mention many of my problems was that I'm a "little" depressed when I'm almost sure that's bullshit, but the practice of self-advocacy is a hell of a lot better to me to practice over self-diagnosing. If you go in with a small doubt, you set yourself up for less disappointment because you were still slightly doubtful.

As long as someone doesn't go around telling EVERYONE they have a disease they weren't properly diagnosed with and demanding to be treated differently, I try to be more open about someone's concern over their mental health.

 

[Yawning Bulbasaur]

Have a vegan sister who got sucked up into some organic cosmic woo cult and thinks that she's "allergic" to animal proteins and has Celiac disease despite consuming animal and gluten derived products for the first 20+ years of her life without having any adverse reaction whatsoever

Also my dad who thinks he has Asperger's because I'm professionally diagnosed with it and he's slightly uncomfortable with making eye contact

 

[Pinkamena Diane Pie]

Speaking as someone who was professional diagnosed. I can say for sure that most cases of self-diagnosis are bullshit. Especially if the person either changes said diagnosis at the drop of a hat (think onigojirakaiju), diagnoses him/herself with something stupid (Andrew Dobson and his "PTSD") or for completely stupid reasons (see previous example).

It's usually best to take the whole "I HAVE AUTISM!" thing with a grain of salt most of the time over the internet. Or if you're like me, just assume nearly everyone over the internet has some mental disability (even if they don't in real life).

I like that last line the most.

I really don't think self-diagnosing's good.

I sometimes would take little tests for fun when I was only in a good mood (and online tests are often bullshit anyway) so my results wouldn't be too skewed because I was depressed. A lot of these tests I do come back with BPD being moderate-high, and it concerned me. Even though many of them are bullcrap, when results start coming back consistently I think there is justification in being a little worried. I looked up more symptoms and realized I shared some similar traits. I thought it was a good idea to bring this up to my therapist, who practically shot that idea down as soon as I mentioned sharing traits. I feel that the only thing this therapist got out of my attempt to mention many of my problems was that I'm a "little" depressed when I'm almost sure that's bullshit, but the practice of self-advocacy is a hell of a lot better to me to practice over self-diagnosing. If you go in with a small doubt, you set yourself up for less disappointment because you were still slightly doubtful.

As long as someone doesn't go around telling EVERYONE they have a disease they weren't properly diagnosed with and demanding to be treated differently, I try to be more open about someone's concern over their mental health.

^^
This. As long as you CAN get a diagnosis, get it. Though the circumstances can suck, sometimes, push if need be. Sometimes, the doctor needs to be changed, sometimes, the patient needs to be heard. Othertimes, monetary. As long as you can confidently state you had a professional diagnose it, its fine. (Though, then you get a jerk like that kid had and wouldn't bother with it. )

Though, at the same time, we should lower the cost in order to get that medication. There is no need for medication to be as high as it is. Its why I'm stuck on humira when I should have been on Asocol HD. Pills are fucking expensive.

 

[Falcon Lord]

Don't ever get the idea that you know better than doctors, because you almost certainly don't.

 

[Von Clausewitz]

Any thoughts on Self-Diagnosing?

Yes: Don't.

 

[AnOminous]

Self diagnosing sucks, but it's great to diagnose other people with everything in the DSM-V over the Internet for shits and giggles.